There are some serious consequences that a Christian faces when he does things which hinders other Christians. Paul explains these in the final verses of Romans 14.
Leading up to 19, Paul explains to Christians that we ought to live our lives not only how the Holy Spirit leads us to, and how the Bible directs us, but also in such a way as not to offend other Christians. This is even the case when a fellow Christian, who may be spiritually weaker than you, is offended by an otherwise innocent act that you do. Paul tells us for the sake of this “weaker” Christian, we ought to avoid those things which may cause him to stumble.
Paul expounds on this in verse 19 through 23. Paul gives us direction in verse 19.
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Keep the peace, even if you think you are right. Sometimes we may feel we are right and have a tendency to “stick to our guns” and argue our point. When the point is about something which is causing another Christian to waiver in his faith, we are to be a peacemaker, to give in and do that which edifies (builds up) these weaker Christians.
If we choose to stand our ground because we think we’re right, and come what may we’ll help others understand that there’s nothing wrong with “X”, then we are committing an act of sin in doing so. Paul says in verse 20 “…but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.” Paul uses the word “eateth” to signify doing an act which we think is right, but offends other Christians. It comes from the debate at the time about whether it was right to eat meat which had been offered to false idols. The meat was like any other meat in its physical characteristics, and by the law there was no sin in eating the meat. Some Christians took offense to others eating this meat. This leads to Paul saying that, while it is not a sin to eat the meat because of the meats sake, it is a sin, and evil to eat this meat when you know that your eating it causes offense to other Christians.
This is summed up in verse 21.
Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”
Whether it has to do with eating or drinking, or anything else, it is good that we refrain from these things if it causes another Christian to be spiritually weakened (to stumble, to be offended, or to be made weak). There are ramifications for continuing these things in spite of weakening your fellow Christian. Paul says in verses 22 and 23 that a person who does these things “condemns himself” and is “damned”. Our relationship with fellow Christians is a serious matter to the Lord. He wants the Christian family working together as a cohesive unit to serve Him. He does not want Christians who He has made stronger to do things which cause weaker Christians to falter.
Let us heed God’s Word in this matter, caring for one another, and strengthening one another in God’s Word.
To learn more about Romans 14, follow this link.
